Yoohyeon made it a habit to visit the flower shop every week to check on the hydrangea she left under Minji’s care. Needless to say, it was used as the perfect excuse to come by and say hi to the pretty flower girl. It was a nice excuse, because never once Yoohyeon regretted coming. She would usually ask curious questions about the plant and every time she would simply enjoy the soft and detailed explanations. 

Minji succeeded in healing the plant in only a couple of weeks with a nice cut and proper watering. It was bright green again, happy to give its last flowers of the year before getting into its winter form. The hydrangeas seemed so happy that Minji promised Yoohyeon they would wait until the autumn season to plant them in Minji’s garden. 

The weather turned cool, the days became shorter and soon people were all too happy to bury their noses in their sweaters. It was that time of the year when nature spread its orange and scarlet coats of fallen leaves on the sad city’s tar.

Minji loved all seasons. She loved all kinds of weather. It was simply how nature worked and she loved to witness how it was taking care of itself. How balanced it was. How it was the most perfect endless loop of sense. Summer turns into autumn when it’s too hot and the leaves fall under the blazing weight of heat. All of the green and soft colors of summer change into a fire. Sparks of bright red and yellow spread through the forest, yet in the most peaceful way. Everything was burnt really, everything was getting ready for the hibernation state of the world, yet it never felt sad. 

For Minji it was a necessary step to clean whatever bothered the world. It wasn’t sad because even if a few colors were disappearing, she knew they would come back. Maybe it would make a return in different forms but with the same intensity. Really, all of this was about having time to accept the unknown. Minji always knew that gardening and all of this language of flower was more of a philosophy than a love declaration. Obviously it can be both. 

Yet there’s one question she kept asking herself but never dared to address. Deep down she always wondered why people needed flowers to express very intense feelings. Why didn’t they need that language or this philosophy, however you call it, for simpler things? Why do fathers never offer a single flower from the garden to their little girl? Why don't best friends bring flowers when they visit? To Minji there’s two reasons why people buy flowers : it’s either for being polite or for expressing love. 

It’s so exaggerated though, she knew that. Of course people could come to her shop for different reasons. Yoohyeon was the perfect example of this. She also embodied what Minji loved about her job. What’s so enjoyable about Yoohyeon’s regular presence in the shop by now was the simple fact that it made a difference. 

The wide eyes, the curious walk, the soft smiles… Minji couldn’t get tired of them. If Minji had to do something such as repot, cut a plant to separate a new sprout, Yoohyeon would always silently watch. Sometimes she would gasp in surprise, others she would be in awe. That never failed to amuse Minji to the deepest. 

When Yoohyeon was around, simply the shop was bathed in a different kind of warmth. The flowers seemed more vibrant, the colors in complete harmony and the plants more alive. If Minji were to be honest, she couldn’t agree more with that. She felt it too.

One time Minji was in the back garden - not every flower shop had one of those - but Minji always wanted one in order to replant the unwanted ones, in order to give more ground to this nature. She also needed to be grounded herself, she needed that touch of earthy smells, those dirty hands and the little back pain after leaning over a small fragile crop. For so long she felt like it was a silly little obsession of hers to want a garden but the more she looked at the rain falling on the growing grass, the more she was amazed by the resilience of it all. 

Inspiring. Yes, it was inspiring above all things. It was also a great pride because she liked telling her clients that some of the flowers were from the garden. It was special. 

The days were colder but Minji didn’t mind the light breeze on her uncovered forearms. If anything she could always go back inside the shop and grab a sweater. Although, it rarely happened before mid-november. Because the little exercise required to dig in the soil was always enough to warm her body. 

That’s exactly what she happened to be doing : digging in the ground to make a home for a new plant. It was deep enough and in a good spot. Sunny and warm and most importantly : not shaded by anything. She turned back to the lucky plant that found its new place for at least that approaching winter. 

Then Minji heard the bell ringing in the shop and was about to go meet the customer when she heard Yoohyeon’s soft voice calling for her : 

“Minji?”

She couldn’t help but smile and then answered “I’m in the garden!”

“Alright” She heard more softly then footsteps moved until close to her. Minji looked up at Yoohyeon and silently greeted her with a nice eye smile. 

“I’m almost finished, I’ll be right there.” Minji said as she grabbed her shears laying next to her knee. Holding the almost drying flowers from the plant, she cut them clean. That’s when she heard Yoohyeon’s gasp. 

Alarmed, Minji frowned and looked up. 

“Why did you do that? The flowers were pretty!” She looked so offended that Minji couldn’t help but let out a little giggle. 

Saying nothing she cut the flowers in a nicer way and held them to Yoohyeon. “Here, then. They’re for you.”

Yoohyeon’s wide eyes, this time of surprise, fell on the few flowers separating them. She blushed a bit then took the flowers. 

“I’m not throwing out the plant if that’s what you think. These were the last flowers of the season anyway. But it’s a dahlia, it needs to be cut to the roots and then you do that.” Minji explained as she dug it out of the ground in the pot. A full handful of tiny entangled roots was gathered in her palms. “I’m not hurting it, don’t worry. I’m just cleaning the roots and separating them in more manageable sizes. I’ll put them in the ground again and next summer they should give us a few of their beautiful colorful flowers.”

Yoohyeon had her full attention. She was drinking her words and then she looked back at the flowers. “Dahlia” She whispered to herself as to not forget it. She inspected them for a few seconds then added. “I like their shape.” 

Minji hummed as she was still working on the roots. “This variety is very regular in the petal pattern. They can have different forms.”

“I like this one.” She said before bringing them closer to her nose. 

“I’m glad you do because I do too. And we should have some in this garden very soon.” Minji explained as she tapped the ground  around the roots she buried. 

“Nice.” Yoohyeon agreed. 

“You know?” Minji started as she was standing up from the ground, stretching a little. “What I love about dahlias is that they remind me in this specific time of the year that even when you think something might be dying, you can’t see the whole situation.”

Minji saw the little frown on Yoohyeon’s face and nodded. 

“You might think the plant is dying because the outside looks like it’s dying and drying but really, the roots are more than fine. It just needs a little time to clean and then it’s good to go again. Sometimes you think it’s the end but actually, maybe one year later it might come back strongly and even more beautiful than before. I guess every plant has something to teach about how time works. Well, it does work in a mysterious way.” Minji chuckled and looked at Yoohyeon. “But trusting time is also a very powerful thing to do.”

Yoohyeon looked puzzled. She truly seemed like a lot was going on in her mind, she gave Minji the impression that she was a bit frozen in place. Even if Minji was more than aware of Yoohyeon’s eyes falling on her lips, Minji softly caressed Yoohyeon’s arm and kindly invited her in for some tea. 

That night, Yoohyeon left the shop after Minji closed it. She stayed until the last very second and even walked her home. It happened like the most natural thing to do. They just kept on talking, being guided by their own carefree steps. It’s only when Minji realized she was in her street that she jokes about “how did we end up here?” Yoohyeon, herself, couldn’t answer that question because she just really wanted to stay a little longer with Minji.

That night had been a bit cold but the fresh air on her face made a nice balance with the warmth spreading through her body from her heart. That night, Yoohyeon could have been lulled to sleep by Minji’s explanation about another tree and its origin and which 18th century old men brought it from Asia to America and how it spread afterwards. 

Yoohyeon was amazed by Minji’s brain. Really, she could memorize anything as long as it had something to do with flowers or nature. The more she talked with Minji, the more she realized it was more than just botanical matters. It really meant a lot to the girl and she was living by it. For people lucky enough to be in her vicinity, it was heartening. 

It was evident that Minji herself wasn’t really aware of that. She kept on dancing around her flower shop one day at a time, giving care and attention to every little speck of heaven (that’s how she calls her flowers sometimes, she thinks it helps with growth). She kept on doing what she loved and that was all. All she could hope of asking and wanting for herself but never she looked outside of that bubble. She was unaware of the effect she had on people. Sure, she hoped her shop could do that, but she often forgets that she’s part of it. Big time. As she is after all, the main creator of the place.

On the opposite side of that, there is Yoohyeon. Who can’t seem to stop thinking about Minji’s importance. In the neighborhood, in clients’ lives, in her own life! She wondered if people ever came back to the shop to say how the flowers made a difference, how people’s eyes sparked joy at the sight of them… 

Yoohyeon’s mind was full of Minji’s stories. Of her sweet thoughts and wondering about nature. She knew a lot, it was actually impressive. Yet at the same time, she also gets how fragile and ephemeral life can be. Minji was curious and full of life with exactly that way of living. It made Yoohyeon notice that being open and questioning about the whole experience could actually help live better. It could make her see things differently, enjoy something that could disappear the next day, with the knowledge she could miss it yet not regret it. All those thoughts never came to Yoohyeon before Minji showed up. 

Well, actually if she dared to be picky with words, she technically showed up in Minji’s life. She also decided that she never wanted to leave. She felt it for a few months now. Because obviously at the end of the day, everyone could see that she never stopped visiting the shop. 

It struck her that when she walked Minji back home, the change of scenery lit up something inside of her. Yoohyeon could never get tired of the shop. For the simple reason that it was Minji’s reflection. At the same time, she needed to see more of Minji. That doesn’t mean she necessarily wanted to see her elsewhere, she just wanted to see more of her. She wanted more. She liked her more.

Her whole body knew that, as once again she made her way to the shop after work. It had been a tiring day, a lot of stress on her shoulders, orders all over the office and not one superior satisfied enough. Naturally, she looked up to go stop by the shop to say hello to Minji. She expected to see that magnificent smile of hers and only that was a huge comfort. 

Her heart skipped a beat at the unexpected sight of Minji closing the front door of the shop as Yoohyeon approached it. Quickly throwing a glance at her watch only to see it was barely 6pm, Yoohyeon frowned. 

“Oh! Yoohyeon!” Minji said excitedly when she spotted the tall girl coming to her. “I wasn’t expecting you.” There it was, that killing soft smile she so generously offered to Yoohyeon unaware of the consequences. 

The consequences being a tingling sensation running through Yoohyeon’s veins. Also, as cliché as it sounds, her heart was manifesting itself in her chest and it forced her to take a big breath. “You’re closing early.” Yoohyeon said as a matter of fact, hiding the little deception. 

“Yes, I have a wedding tomorrow so I’ll open early and since all the flowers and orders are ready, I might as well rest for the rest of the night.” Her smile comforted Yoohyeon enough. “Did you want something? We can walk a little if you want?” She asked softly and Yoohyeon nodded.

To their surprise, no one started walking. They were standing in front of each other. Yoohyeon suspected Minji to inspect if she was alright. And of course that’s exactly what happened. 

“Yooh? Is everything okay?” Her voice was so careful that it overwhelmed Yoohyeon.

Yoohyeon sighed and nodded with a small smile. “Just a complicated day at work.”

“Ah… I’m sorry to hear that.” She grimaced and took a step closer slowly so as to not take Yoohyeon by surprise. Taking Yoohyeon’s hands into hers, Minji added. “Do you want to come to my place? I can offer you a drink or something?”

“That sounds awesome. I won’t stay long though. I don’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense, you know that you’re not. You can stay as long as you want.” She said that before taking Yoohyeon into her arms and tenderly left her hands from their former place to snake them around the taller girl’s shoulders. 

A few seconds passed and Yoohyeon sighed in the moment and relaxed considerably.

“Thank you for that.” She really needed that. What she really was thankful for was for Minji to give her that peace without having to ask. To be frank, she wasn’t even sure if she could have anyway. 

“Let’s go?” Minji asked softly before breaking the embrace and taking her by the arm to guide her through the streets on this cold autumn evening. 

“I don’t know if you need to hear this, but I’m sure everything is going to be okay.” Minji added, still not letting go of Yoohyeon’s arm. They kept on walking slowly, without rushing to Minji’s apartment. It was a nice, calm walk.

Somehow it was anything Yoohyeon needed, if not more. “I guess, I am.” Yoohyeon chuckled a bit embarrassed. “There’s just a lot going on at the moment and it’s easy for me to feel like I’m drowning.”

“You’re not. You’re walking with me right now. And I won’t let you go if you feel like drowning.”

Really, Minji should stop saying things like that. If she kept on being that nice, Yoohyeon would soon have another problem on her already long list. She’s not supposed to fall in love that easily. It’s supposed to take time. Minji doesn’t help her on that one. Surely, Minji doesn’t realize how flirty she sounds. 

Minji, on the other hand, could only focus on how Yoohyeon didn’t seem convinced by her words. So instead of forcing it, she took a different route. 

“You remember that time I talked to you about the dahlias?” Minji asked. 

“Of course. I never forget our conversations.” 

“Remember what you thought what was going compared to what I was really doing?” 

Yoohyeon frowned a bit, she didn’t see where she was going with that.

“You might see a few flowers drying right now but it’s not necessarily a bad sign. The dahlia just gives her last flowers of the year and then needs to rest a bit. Maybe that’s what is going on right now. You need time to rest.”

Now Yoohyeon understood better and nodded. “Yeah maybe I need time but no one is here to handle my roots.” She said teasingly and Minji rewarded her with an honest laugh. 

“That’s true. Maybe you should try doing that yourself, you’re the one who knows yourself better so it shouldn’t be too hard.” As always, Minji knew what words to use to appease her. “But whatever this is, it isn’t that bad. So yeah it’s going to be okay.”

Yoohyeon was in deep thoughts for a moment until something clicked. “Oh.” She let out.

Minji arched an eyebrow, curious about that reaction. “Yes?”

“Maybe I’m not drowning. Maybe it’s the same thing as my succulents?” Yoohyeon now had a goofy smile plastered on her lips.

“You mean, you’re just watering yourself differently than others?” Minji grinned at the metaphor. Sometimes it left like it was a special language they were talking, something only theirs.

Yoohyeon nodded excitedly, proud of her idea. “Something like that.”

“I like the way you think.” Minji said before she stopped in front of a door and finally let go of Yoohyeon’s arm in order to dig out her keys. “Now let’s get that drink, shall we?” 

Yoohyeon couldn’t even believe how effortlessly it had been for Minji to cheer her up in the span of the walk. She had a lighter heart and a weight seemed off her shoulder. Now she knew she was going to enjoy that drink with Minji. At Minji’s place.